PPDF Draws Curtain on Climate Justice/ Sustainable Environment Project in Ikot Abasi
By Imo Etim
A Non-governmental Organisation, Peace Point Development Foundation (PPDF) has brought to a close its project on Promoting Climate Justice and Sustainable Environmental Practice in Ikot Abasi local government area.
PPDF in December 2021 had commenced working on promoting climate justice and sustainable environmental practices in the oil producing communities of Ikot Abasi and Ibeno local government area.
In Ikot Abasi local government area, Uta Ewa, Opukalama and Ikpetim communities were beneficiaries of the project.
Having executed all the activities in the project, the project finally came to a close in Ikot Abasi LGA on Thursday, November 3, 2022.
In his address at the close out and handing over meeting, the Coordinator of PPDF, Mr. Umo Isua-ikoh thanked the communities for the support his organisation received to successfully implement all the activities they had in the project.
Umo, who charged the communities to be deliberate on building on the foundation they have laid, noted that PPDF will always be rightly disposed to give technical support whenever there is need.
He commended the communities utilizing the training they have received from PPDF ranging from improved environmental monitoring, peace building to production of fuel wood efficient stove.
Isua-ikoh said ” We are very happy that we have seen the tremendous impact of this project
in your communities. We hope that you will build on it and sustain it thus protecting your environment.”
Earlier, the Program Officer of PPDF, Okoho Ene highlighted the activities implemented in the project to include; advocacy to leaders of the communities, advocacy to school authorities, community mobilization/town hall, establishment of environmental clubs in the community, establishment of environmental clubs in schools, and training community environmental clubs.
Others are a 3-Day training on sustainable environmental protection education, climate change mitigation, construction of fuel wood efficient stove and conflict management and media engagement: radio discussion and jingles.
Ene noted that there has been a 1-day training of media/Civil Society Organisations on reporting on environmental protection and climate change, coupled with convergence of State level multi-stakeholder platform meeting, and quiz competition and award.
She recalled that PPDF has also designed and printed IECs materials; posters, stickers, T-shirts and newsletters which is the Community Voice shared to the communities.
” Yesterday, we held a community rally to draw attention to important environmental information they need to know”, the Program Officer added.
In his remarks, the Chairman, Uta Ewa Village Council, Chief Emmanuel Udofia expressed appreciation to PPDF over the benefits his community has enjoyed through the project.
While calling for the continuation of the project, the Chairman said they will continue to partner with PPDF when they have environmental issues.
He noted ” PPDF came late 2021 and we have made significant strides. The trees in our mangroves are gradually preserved. You were able to link us directly to environmental authorities like NOSDRA, Federal and State Ministry of Environment. We now have people we can report our environmental challenges to.
“But I must confess that leaving now that we have started making progress is not adequate. We earnestly desire for extension because we haven’t become very advanced yet on environmental issues.
“It is continuous training from PPDF that will help us to grow and make us stand on our own. Even after you leave, we will continue to partner with you.”.
Also speaking, the Youth Leader of Ikpetim Community thanked PPDF for the several training especially on Peace building and construction of fuel wood efficient stove and called on the government to take up from where PPDF has stopped.
He said ” We have been taught how to make a fuel wood efficient stove. But the truth is that since we are a fishing community, we will need to dry our fishes. This implies that if our trees must be preserved, then the government must come in to assist to produce the stove in a commercial size and quantity.
On his part, the Youth Leader of Opukalama Community, Sylvanus Jaja said ” Although we are sad that you will be leaving our communities, we are glad that you have done your best for us. You have dropped a legacy. You have established a path that is very impactful. We assure you that we will elevate what you have established “.
